123STA T . 3 7 3 4PROCL A M AT I O N8 4 5 1 — NO V . 6, 2 0 0 9waveringd ev ot iontot h e Am eri c an p eop l e , andwem us t k eep our cov - enant with them .W ith respect f or and in recognition of the contri b utions our servicemen and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the C ongress has provided (5U . S .C. 6103 (a ) ) that N ovember 11 of each y ear shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation ’ s veterans. N O W, THER E F ORE, I , B ARAC K OBA M A, P resident of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2 00 9 ,as V eterans D ay. I encourage all Americans to recogni z e the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private pray- ers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their com- munities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organi- zations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative e x pressions and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8451 o fN o ve m b er 6,20 0 9Hon o ri n gtheV i c ti ms o f the T r a ge dy at F ort Hood , Te x as BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Our Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civil- ians, and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas. The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow coun- trymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans. We ask G od to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour. As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitu- tion and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval sta- tions, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the Dis- trict of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. I also di- rect that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other fa- cilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
